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There are several rules of behavior that ensure that we stay safe from the dangers inherent in school or professional laboratories. Following these guidelines also ensures the integrity of any tests or experiments that are performed. Respecting these rules is a way to show appreciation for scientific work and it is also a way to take care of yourself and others.
The following list of safety rules is not intended to be exhaustive; Some recommendations are general, while others will only apply to certain laboratories with special characteristics.
1.- Wear the appropriate clothing in the laboratory
You cannot enter a laboratory and use the spaces without the appropriate clothing. First, a lab coat should be worn to protect the clothing worn underneath. This clothing also serves to temporarily store objects, such as a notebook or accessories such as gloves or safety glasses. It is important not to store these accessories when they are dirty or just used for an experiment.
Secondly, there are certain pieces of clothing that are essential for safety and are not always obvious. For example, bare shoes such as sandals that expose part of the feet should be avoided, as spills can be very dangerous.
Finally, it is important not to bring a dirty lab coat into the lab, as foreign organic debris on clothing could compromise the overall hygiene of an experiment.
2.- Do not eat or drink inside the laboratory
One of the main rules is not to eat any type of food or drink in the laboratory areas. It is not safe, either, to store food in refrigerators intended for laboratory material. Both the samples from the experiments and personal food can end up contaminated by using the spaces for both purposes.
There are materials that can be poisonous and food could accidentally get impregnated with them. This can happen if food is placed on a surface or if there is an accidental spill or condensation of a dangerous gas.
3.- Do not sniff or taste any part of your experiment
Another rule to highlight is not to bring the materials close to your face to smell or taste them. Some compounds can give off extremely dangerous gases that, at best, can render a person unconscious. There are many procedures that allow you to know the characteristics of the materials without putting yourself at risk.
4.- Properly dispose of laboratory waste
When the experiments have concluded, there is no rush to leave. It is time to plan where and how the waste from the experience will be disposed of. It is a show of respect for other users of the laboratory to dispose of harmful materials in the proper way and to leave the laboratory in order.
It is important to consider how each of the leftovers that were used is disposed of. You have to wonder if it is safe to flush them down the toilet or floor drain. It is also appropriate to ask a more informed person if it is necessary to use pressurized steam to clean certain surfaces.
5.- Know the location of all the implements
It is important to have a general idea of where everything in the laboratory is to be used. For this, if it is the first time that this specific laboratory is used, a reconnaissance tour is appropriate.
Not only is it important to know what will be used frequently; it is also necessary to know where the most dangerous materials or delicate objects are, even if they are hardly ever going to be touched.
In addition, it is appropriate to test whether the security equipment works as expected. A damaged fire extinguisher can be catastrophic in the event of a fire. One of the most important safety equipment in a laboratory, the safety shower should always have running water and sufficient pressure.
Finally, it is important that the person in charge of the laboratory keep it well signposted. You can’t always explain everything and that’s what the labels on chemicals are for, as well as the signs on shelves and walls.
6.- Know how to act in the event of a laboratory accident
There are accidents that could become catastrophes and it is best to have a prevention plan for each type of accident. For this, good communication with the manager is essential.
Good communication also consists of sincerity. If the laboratory user made a mistake and caused some type of damage, such as a spill or damage to any material or instrument in the laboratory, they should not hide it: it is always necessary to report what happened in a timely manner. Otherwise, you could be endangering other users or the animals used in the laboratory. safety first.
7.- Learn to follow instructions
As delicate situations occur in the laboratory, there are many risks. It is essential to have the utmost attention and to follow the instructions of the laboratory manager. There is usually an established protocol, depending on the type of laboratory in which you are. You have to follow the steps to the letter without underestimating the instructions; After all, the manager knows this lab better than anyone.
8.- Avoid being your own guinea pig
Being your own guinea pig in your experiment may seem funny or appealing, but it’s a storyline that only works well in sci-fi movies. Doing this can cause serious security problems; the health of the scientist and other people in the laboratory may be at high risk. Out of ethics and respect for the laboratory, it is essential to refrain from being your own guinea pig.
9.- Do not bring objects from the laboratory
It is important that the materials used, and even the animals, are limited to being within the space designated for them in the laboratory. It should be remembered that this space is designed to isolate them and adequately resist the ravages of an accident involving them.
It is essential to refrain from removing materials from the laboratory. In many contexts, not following this rule may pose unnecessary risks. For example, in a laboratory the gases from a volatile chemical may not accumulate as much (thanks to the exhaust fan), but outside these gases may be more dangerous.
It must be taken into account that some materials must be transported in a special way when they arrive at the laboratory; the scientist must not move them himself if he is not qualified to do so or lacks the means.
References
- University of Granada (undated). Laboratory in Chemistry 4.0. Available at: https://www.ugr.es/~laboratoriodequimica/5_seguridad.htm
- Acha, C. (s/f). Safety in the laboratory . Physics department. Available at: http://users.df.uba.ar/acha/Lab5/seguridadgral.htm
